The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-12
THE SAMOAN INCIDENT.

Ex-Consul Greenbaum Talks of the Action
Taken by the German Commander.
Special to the Indianapolis journal.
SAN Francisco, Sept IA dispatch re-
ceived here last week from Melbourne Australia,
announcing the fact that Germany had effected
the overthrow of King Malietoa. OF Samoa, Great
ed a good deal of feeling and surprise here.
Berthold Greenbaum. exconsul to Samoa.
expressed the opinion that Germany's action in
the matter was of the worst diplomatic
insults that this country England could
receive. He takes the opportunity to exonorate
his action under similar circumstances by relat-
ing bit of recent history. He first makes the
statement that the treaty between England,
Germany and the United States. with reference
to Samoa, provides that in the event of the gov
ernment of Samoa being at any time in diff
Guilty with any nation at amty with the United
States. the Samoan government reserves the
right of claiming the protection of the Ameri-
can flag. He then continues: when, three
years ago, Admiral Knorr. with three powerful
ships of war, manned by 1900 sailors, was in
the harbor OF Apia and attempted, with King
Tamasese exactly the kind of an outrage
that the Germans have to-day perpetrated upon
Malietoa, I, after a most careful Interpretation
of the treaty and acting for the honor and dig
nifty of the American flag, responded to the call
OF the Samoan government and extended
To it the protection of the stars and stripes at
tho same time giving formal notice to the Brit
ism and German consuls. My action was in
dorsed by Mr. Reese, Attorney general OF New
Zealand. who was in Samoa at the time and ap-
proved by Sir George Grey. Governor-general of
New Zealand and the entire an.ipodean senti-
ment. That my action did have immediate ef
feet may be cited from the fact that
Admiral Knorr saw the United States flag float
ing over the island he at gave notice
to his consul, Dr. Stodel, that he must with
draw from further demonstration, as the m after
had assumed a serious diplomatic aspect Three
hours later the German fleet had left the har-
Dor of Apia and was on its way back to Zanzi-
bar. The government at Washington did not
countenanee my action, and President Cleve-
land in his annual message, remarked that /
was recalled on account of being over Jealous.
but the very thing that did at that time to up-
hold the interest of tho United States in sta
tion which / have designated the Malta of the
Pacific, has been acted over again; but this time
the German flag Is flying, and the stars and
stripes down"
In answer to the interrogatory as to whether
Bismarck personally interested in Samoa,
he replied: Il will tell you, as l informed the
State Department.. OF a general rumor that Bis
marck is largely interested in German commerce
in the South He tried hard. after the
failure of the company for 5000, 900 marks. to
have the German imperial government advance
another 1000, 900 and take the controlling inter
~est in the whole of the conpaay's South
sea island stations for security. but
the bubble burst IN the German
Reichstag, and the Chancellors interested posi-
ton in the matter was vigorously assailed and
shown up by Sonneman, representative from
English government would not at the time, lend
its hand to the line of action by which my own
countrymen were readily duped, but Bismarck
did not rest until he had made clean sweep of
the consular representatives at Samoa and OBJ
tanned fresh deal which has allowed him to act
with increased impudencs aud immunity"